$1.00 Hat box sold at estate sale contained 250 World War II letters
You never know what may be sold in an estate sale and Sara Gates with the Huffington Post reported on a woman who purchased a hat box at an Oklahoma estate sale for $1.00 15 years ago that contained about 250 World War II letters.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO about this touching story of what happened to these letters and more.
Happy Friday everyone and we hope you visit some great estate sales.
Estate Sales News attending Small Business Expo in NYC
Estate Sales News is going to New York today to attend the Small Business Expo. We will be networking with a variety of businesses from across the US and the world attending this event. Estate Sales News is a great place to advertise your business at very reasonable monthly rates.
Pictured here is your editor at work last weekend in Henderson NV.
I’m traveling across the country and speaking to estate liquidators nationwide to provide you with the news and information you can use to make informed choices and understand the personal property liquidation business and process.
RVs for Sale in Henderson Nevada and Estate Sales News was there.
Valerie Johnson of A Simple Solution Estate Sale Company based outside Sacramento, CA will be conducting an estate sale in Henderson, NV. The sale will be held May 21-24 from 9am-5pm, but the vehicles will be for sale through May 27th. Estate Sales News visited Henderson, NV this past weekend to get a view of the RV’s and vehicles included in this sale. The vehicles are currently in a fenced area so accessibility for photos and video was limited, but we did take a short over the fence video clip and some photos. Video by ESN.
This is an unusual sale with so many varieties of RV’s and we felt it news worthy to show what unique sales are being held across the US. Here is the link from EstateSales.net for A Simple Solution Estate Sale Company page on the sale with detailed information on the vehicles in the sale.
EstateSalesNews.com is a FREE estate sale resource for information
During my many flights reporting on various estate sales I have met some wonderful people and the most frequent question I’m asked it was do you do.
I respond that I am the editor of an online news/magazine about estate sales and the personal property liquidation business. It amazes me that almost every time that person will say I know someone that needs an estate sale or they have a friend downsizing.
I explained to her that if they had questions EstateSalesNews.com was a website devoted to providing information on what to look for when choosing an estate liquidator. This website is a free public resource from the beginning of the process when you realize you need to start eliminating items to the conclusion of the sale where it is time for a clean out, charitable donations or a final buy out.
On a recent trip from Florida I met an accountant who lives on the east coast of Florida near a retirement community with a great many retired military people. Many of them are getting to the point in their lives where they need to downsize and transition into a simpler lifestyle. This accountant spoke of the need for many of these individuals to find reputable companies that will have their best interest and not attempt to cherry pick them. I gave her my card and suggested she review this news/magazine and pass it on to her clients and friends.
Estate Sales News does not conduct estate sales. We welcome your questions.
Don’t have enough for a full estate sale. What to do?
As more and more baby boomers come of age what to do with a life time of household, collections, etc. is becoming a challenge.
In many cases the children of boomers will want some of their parents belongings either for sentiment or value, however, may children today are minimalists and this leaves boomer parents with decisions when downsizing time comes.
If your children have taken a great many items and furniture you may be left with what is known in the estate sale trade as a partial. Many estate sales companies will simply not deal with low contents. It does not cover their costs for the sale. Some estate liquidators look at this with other possibilities. They can offer to add to the contents from other minimal sales or in some instances if they are antiques dealers they may offer to add some of their unsold merchandise to the sale (this practice is referred to as seeding the sale). Every estate liquidator works differently, but if you find one you like and your contents are minimal ask them if there is a way for them to work with you. They may even want to increase their commission or fee.
The other choices left to you are consignment (not all consignment shops accept everything) or donations to local charities.
When choosing an estate sale company be sure to let the liquidators you are talking to know upfront if it isn’t a full contents and ask them how they work. Saves time and frustration for everyone.
Find something special & affordable for Mom at an estate sale
Su
nday is Mother’s day and this a great time to find something old or new at an estate sale to give that special Mom or woman in your life.
You can find something special or unique, valuable, affordable or just keeping it green.
Happy Mother’s day.
Estate Sales contracts
We have published a page on what to look for in an estate sale contract and we have heard from readers that this has been helpful when interviewing estate sale companies.
The estate sale contract is so important. It is what determines everything from the date of the sale, time, location, costs, and how you receive your net proceeds.
It also addresses the obligation of the estate liquidator and your obligation as the seller, granting access to the premises, not removing items once the sale process is underway unless there is a clear written understanding.
It should also include who is paying for advertising, credit card fees (if used) and what the estate sale company will or will not do at the end of the sale.
To review what to look for and expect for everyone’s protection click here.
Estate Sale in Detroit location of Whitney Houston’s last film Sparkle
Yesterday I spent the day with Mike Hartt of Hartt estate sales in Detroit. We visited two upcoming estate sales sights. Unfortunately we were not able to access the mansion of Standish Backus former president of Burroughs Adding Machine.
We did visit the home where the movie Sparkle starring Whitney Houston in her last film roll was filmed and where Hartt Estate Sales is conducting an estate sale starting tomorrow, Thursday May 9 and concluding Sunday, May 12. This sale featured fine art, some antique furniture, vintage dinnerware, a 1954 Lincoln Sedan (needs a full restoration) and many other items.
Mr. Hartt was still setting up and organizing so this video is raw, however it does show much of the art work included and the setting up stage.
My thanks to Mike Hartt for his time and courtesy. Here is a link to his site.
Detroit is booming with great estate sales from famous homes
Tomorrow I’m traveling to Detroit to report on two estate sales being conducted by Mike Hartt of Hartt Estate Sales. The first sale starts May 9th at the historic Indian Village mansion of Mr. Chapin co-founder of the Hudson Motor Car company (1880-1936). This residence was also in the last Whitney Houston film Sparkle. This estate sale features rare collection of 19th century oil paintings and 19th century furniture. There is also a 1954 Lincoln sedan.
We will then visit the Standish Backus mansion, the former president of Burroughs Adding Machine Company complete with a 3rd floor ballroom. This sale is currently scheduled for June 13th and June 20th.
Both of these unique and immense sales can be viewed at this link.
Video of these two mansions should be forthcoming shortly from EstateSalesNews.com
